Narduzzi said Blair, a senior, was kicked off the team for ''conduct detrimental to the program.'' Blair collected 3+ sacks last season for the Panthers.

Whitehead and Wirginis will sit out Pitt's first three games for a violation of team policy. Bookser will miss the Sept. 2 opener against Youngstown State after being arrested and charged with driving under the influence in May.

Wirginis picked up four sacks as a reserve while Whitehead collected 65 tackles on defense and added 98 yards rushing on offense while being named second-team All-ACC as a sophomore in 2016.

Whitehead and Wirginis will miss the opener against Youngstown, a trip to rival Penn State on Sept. 9 and a visit by Oklahoma State on Sept. 16. They will be eligible to return for Pitt's ACC opener against Georgia Tech on Sept. 23.